Latest Update

August 10, 2017

After a successful World Championship Regatta, we would like to thank all of our supporters and friends. Please join us for brunch on Sunday, August 13th from 10 am to noon. RSVP to Hickeyfamily200@comcast.net. (Address will be provided after RSVP)

We are Drew Hickey and Danny Stoddard, two rowers out of Mercer Junior Rowing Club in West Windsor, New Jersey. We recently won our event at the USRowing U19 World Championship Trials, earning us the privilege of representing the United States at this year's World Rowing Junior Championships in Trakai, Lithuania on August 2-6. We've been training hard since our victory to perform well at this year's championships, but the trip to Lithuania is quite expenisve and our boat will receive no funding from USRowing. We must rely on the generosity of friends and family to make our dream of competing at the World Championships a reality. On this page, you can learn more about the two of us and our coach. Please consider helping our cause. All donations of any amount would be appreciated.

Stroke Seat: Danny Stoddard

I started out rowing for Mercer the summer before my 8th grade year. After participating in a few novice camps I decided to come back and challenge myself in the fall. One year of novice rowing and another on the lower varsity team boats later, I finally broke through my sophomore year and started having a greater impact on the team. With that new year came a new coach but something felt different. This was the year that me and Drew narrowly missed making the varsity eight that was racing at Canadian Henley. Instead of throwing us aside our coach Justin Ochal spared us and gave us a pair which we affectionately named the "pity pair". After a few races we found out that we actually really liked the boat and we enjoyed competing in the pair. In a few years we steadily grew more comfortable rowing together in the pair and decided to enter World Championship Trials this past June. Even though we enjoyed the pair in the beginning we never thought that it would lead us to this point. What once was our "Pity Pair" will now be representing the United States at the World Championships. We are humbled by this opportunity and thanful for the blessings that have been given to us throughout our careers at Mercer.

Bow Seat: Drew Hickey

By the time I was old enough to join the Mercer Junior Rowing Club, members of my family had already been involved with the team for several years. Two of my cousins and my older sister came through Mercer just like me, and all four of us either have or will continue our rowing careers in college. The sport and the values that come are that important to us. The sport has taught us perserverance, courage, leadership, fraternity, patience, and so many other valuable traits that could only be aquired from the ultimate team sport.

The unique thing about the Mercer Juniors is the overarching feeling of community. There are two main requirements needed to be part of this team: 1. a drive to come to practice and do your best everyday and, 2. a desire to be part of something bigger than yourself and push yourself to your limits for the overall benefit of the team. If you can do those things, you'll be welcomed here with open arms. It doesn't matter where you've come from or what you've done in the past. We're family here: a family that picks each other up when we're down; a family the holds feelings of respect and admiration among its members; a family that comes together each and every practice knowing that every member is essential to the overall success of the crew. I've been blessed to be part of that family.

Now my best friend and I have an opportunity to put these lessons to practice at the 2017 World Rowing Junior Championships. Please consider helping us as we prepare to travel to Trakai.

Coach: Justin Ochal

Coach Justin Ochal has been involved in rowing for his entire adult life. He started rowing at Roman Catholic High School before rowing for four years at Northeastern University, serving as Captain of the team his senior season. He competed at the World Rowing Junior Championships himself in 2005, racing in the 2x. He has been the Head Coach of Mercer Varsity Boys Rowing since the fall of 2014.

Thank You!

- Danny and Drew

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To Donate by CheckIf you prefer to donate by check - please make your check payable to The National Rowing Foundation with the name of your crew (i.e. 2017 LW4x) included on the memo line should be sent to the NRF’s lockbox: The National Rowing Foundation, IncDepartment 5100PO Box 4110Woburn, MA 01888-4110

Tax Deductible ContributionYour donation will go to the National Rowing Foundation and directly support these athletes. Your donation is considered tax deductible and you will receive an email receipt with important tax document necessary for any available federal income tax deduction. Thank you again!

About the NRF

The National Rowing Foundation (NRF) is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization dedicated to raising funds to support U.S. National Rowing Teams. Founded in 1966, the NRF has been supporting U.S. athletes for 50 years. The funds raised support year round training, development, and competition in international regattas.

Updates

After a successful World Championship Regatta, we would like to thank all of our supporters and friends. Please join us for brunch on Sunday, August 13th from 10 am to noon. RSVP to Hickeyfamily200@comcast.net. (Address will be provided after RSVP)

August 10, 2017 - by Andrew Hickey

Comments

Name

Comment

Date

Anonymous

USA! USA! USA!
PS: Helen Keller would've been a hellava rower. (But not a great coxswain).

August 4, 2017

Joe & Kelli Perrotte

We're proud of you guys! Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much. Helen Keller

August 1, 2017

The White Family

Go Drew and Danny!

July 27, 2017

Fink Family

We are so proud of you!! Go USA!!

July 27, 2017

Mary Ann M. Carnevale

Congratulations!! Wishing the both of you all the best --go USA!

July 27, 2017

Ochal Family

Good Luck! Will be cheering you on!!

July 27, 2017

STEPHEN SKOR

Congrats & good luck !!!

July 26, 2017

Luke P Sendelbach

YEA RED

July 26, 2017

Denise Schmidt

Good luck!!!

July 26, 2017

Stergion Family

Good luck

July 26, 2017

Lea Anne & Joe Bello

Good Luck!!!

July 25, 2017

Berger Family

HAVE FUN, BE SAFE, ROW STRONG

July 24, 2017

Anonymous

Good luck Danny and Drew!!

July 23, 2017

Kris McDonald

Go Dan & Drew!!!

July 21, 2017

Atanasio

Go USA!

July 21, 2017

The Rice Family

It all started with that erg from my home gym! Good luck boys!

July 20, 2017

The Vujosevic Family

Good luck Danny and Drew. We are so very proud of you. Lauren, Bijan and Nicholas

July 19, 2017

Davis and Chases

Go Danny!!!!! Have a fabulous time and we hope you kill it!!

July 19, 2017

Laura Mangone

Good Luck Dan & Drew! We will be cheering you on!

July 19, 2017

Tom Stoddard

Good luck, boys!!! Very proud of you!
Love, The Stoddards of San Diego

July 19, 2017

South Brunswick FOP Lodge 51

Dan and Drew, Good Luck at Nationals! Go Team USA

July 17, 2017

Leonid Zhelnin

Go Mercer!!!

July 15, 2017

Rachelle St Phard

Just took up rowing this year. Love it. Happy to support!

July 15, 2017

The Mersky Family

Good luck! Pride of the V8!

July 15, 2017

The Gleim Family

Go Mercer!

July 14, 2017

Anonymous

So proud of you!! God bless you every effort and wishing you the very best at Lithuania!

July 14, 2017

Bryn Clare Eggers

THese young men (of one whom I know through my son) should not have to pay to compete when they are already doing such hard work and training

July 14, 2017

David Dortch

I know it is not much but I hope it helps. Good Luck Boys!!!!

July 13, 2017

Tricia Johnston

Good luck Drew & Danny! What an amazing opportunity! We're so proud of you!

July 13, 2017

The Grimes Family

Good luck Danny and Drew!
The Grimes Family

July 13, 2017

Michael P. McGahan

Drew - all the best, pal. We will be following you from Orlando! Good luck and safe travels.
Mike McGahan

Nonprofit

Funds go through 'National Rowing Foundation', a U.S. nonprofit foundation.
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